Report of the city of Somerville 1918, Part 5

Author: Somerville (Mass.)
Publication date: 1918
Publisher: Somerville, Mass.
Number of Pages: 396


USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1918 > Part 5


Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).


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830 97 73 25


$4,029,753 66


Non-Revenue.


Outlay appropriations


$143,388 41


Redemption of tax liens


2,522 59


$145,911 00


$4,175,664 66


Cash in office .


$1,235 90


Deposits in banks


238,760 26


239,996 16


$4,415,660 82


Revenue.


General expenses


$212,092 37


Trust Funds (Public)


2,300 54


Sundry persons


127 11


Non-Revenue.


Outlay appropriations


25,476 14


$239,996 16


BALANCES, DECEMBER 31, 1918.


Cash


$239,996 16


partment


.4,101 00


Taxes, 1916


$1,416 92


1917


2,734 33


1918


365,013 39


369,164 64 12 67


Excise


Street Sprinkling, 1916


$0 50


1917


16 60


1918


8,145 35


8,162 45


Moth assessments, 1917


$5 60


1918


234 25


239-85


Highway assessments, 1917


559 67


1918


8,676 46


Sidewalk assessments, 1917


904 70


Sewer assessments, 1917 .


2,583 01


Metered water charges


27,560 51


Commonwealth of Massachusetts :- Benefits


80,261 53


Income tax, 1918


.


5,777 52


Grade Crossings


427 30


Carried forward


$748,427 47


.


9,236 13


Cash, advances, Poor De-


$214,520 02


81


TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.


Brought forward


$364 09


$4,028,849 44


Library, S. Newton Cut-


ler.


50 00


Hunt, books ·


257 23


Pitman, art


139 40


Pitman, poetry .


20 25


Tellers' shorts and overs .


$4,029,753 66


Non-Revenue.


Outlay appropriations


$143,388 41


Redemption of tax liens


2,522 59


$145,911 00


$4,175,664 66


Cash in office


$1,235 90


Deposits in banks


238,760 26


239,996 16


$4,415,660 82


Revenue.


General expenses


$212,092 37


Trust Funds (Public)


2,300 54


Sundry persons


127 11


$214,520 02


Non-Revenue.


Outlay appropriations


25,476 14


$239,996 16


BALANCES, DECEMBER 31, 1918.


Cash


$239,996 16


Cash, advances, Poor De- partment


4,101 00


Taxes, 1916


$1,416 92


1917


2,734 33


1918


365,013 39


369,164 64


Excise


12 67


Street Sprinkling, 1916


$0 50


1917


16 60


1918


8,145 35


8,162 45


Moth assessments, 1917


$5 60


1918


234 25


239 85


Highway assessments, 1917


559 67


1918


8,676 46


Sidewalk assessments, 1917


904 70


Sewer assessments, 1917 . Metered water charges


2,583 01


Commonwealth of Massachusetts :- Benefits


80,261 53


Income tax, 1918


5,777 52


Grade Crossings


427 30


Carried forward ·


$748,427 47


9,236 13


27,560 51


830 97 73 25


82


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Brought forward


$748,427 47


Real estate liens


1,219 53


Interest (Reserved for


amount due on 1918


loans)


5,269 50


Trust Funds, Income :- School :-


S. Newton Cutler


511 29


Smith-Hughes


788 24


Library :-


S. Newton Cutler


26 11


Hunt, Art


314 29


Hunt, Art (principal) .


202 77


Hunt, Books


279 34


Pitman, Art


87 40


Pitman, Poetry


29 84


Wilder, Children's


11 26


Poor. Olive C. Cum-


50 00


2,300 54


Sundry persons


127 11


Tellers' shorts and overs


10 28


Temporary Loans


Funded Debt


Net Funded Debt, Bal-


ancing account


1,506,000 00


500 00 .


Overlay and Abatement,


1916


$1,416 92


1917


2,734 33


1918


22,006 30


26,157 55


Reserve Supplementary as- sessments : -


1916


$1,107 34


1917


399 80


1918 . .


707 04


2,214 18


Reserve Fund Surplus Ov- erlays


5,564 52


Excess and Deficiency


73,027 18


Trust Funds, School .


$5,000 00


Library


20,414 58


Poor


.


1,102 84


26,517 42


Trust Funds, Investment :-


School .


$5,000 00


Library


20,414 58


Poor


1,102 84


26,517 42


Outlay appropriations


25,476 14


$2,282,164 42


$2,282,164 42


mings .


609,000 00 1,506,000 00


Sale of land, Winter Hill


TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.


83


The assessors' warrant for the tax levy, assessed upon polls and property, April 1, 1918, including non-resident bank shares, amounted to . .


and the tax rate established was $23.20 on each $1,000 of valuation, as follows:


$2,053,155 49


Real estate . $72,478,400 00


Personal estate


12,097,300 00 ·


Resident bank shares


63,580 00


Total valuation


$84,639,280 00


At a rate of $23.20 .


$1,963,631 30


Polls, 24,291 at $2 .


48,582 00


Non-resident bank shares to be paid


to the State (valuation $123,420.00) . 2,863 34


$2,015,076 64


Street sprinkling .


36,982 10


Suppression of moths


1,096 75


$2,053,155 49


Additional Assessments: -


Real estate, valuation $13,500 at $23.20


$313 20


Personal estate, valuation $11,200 at


$23.20 .


259 84


Polls, 67 at $2


134 00


707 04


Total commitments by assessors


$2,053,862 53


.


·


.


.


S1


ANNUAL REPORTS.


BONDS OUTSTANDING JANUARY 1, 1919, WITH INTEREST TO MATURITY.


Bonds


Interest


Water Loan Bonds


$6,000 00


$320 00


Emergency Loan Bonds


20,000 00


2,125 00


Metropolitan Park Bonds


11,000 00


2,310 00


Bridge Loan Bonds


31,000 00


16,817 50


Sewer Loan Bonds


280,000 00


85,731 25


City Loan Bonds


490,000 00


86,027 50


Municipal Loan Bonds


39,000 00


5,175 00


Highway Loan Bonds


327,000 00


35,865 00


Public Buildings Loan Bonds


302,000 00


100,465 00


$1,506,000 00


$334,836 25


MEMORANDUM OF PAYMENTS ON ACCOUNT OF DEBT, 1918.


Bonds, General City Debt .


Principal $246,500 00


Interest $65,972 50


Total $312,472 50


Bonds, Water


5,000 00


440 00


5,440 00


Temporary loans


48,543 91


48,543 91


· Grade Crossings


10,780 00


1,574 20


12,354 20


On Account of Metropolitan District Debt :-


Sewers


18,353 75


29,581 55


47,935 30


Park


3,624 31


12,100 24


15,724 55


Wellington Bridge .


1,265 00


379 50


1,644 50


Charles River Basin


265 20


3,060 30


3,325 50


Alewife Brook


818 39


379 55


1,197 94


Water


.


16,198 07


79,975 44


96,173 51


$302,804 72


$242,007 19


$544,811 91


Somerville's Proportion for Debt Requirements :-


In State tax


26,863 30


33,034 40


59,897 70


In county tax


3,687 48


3,396 36


7,083 94


$333,355 50


$278,437 95


$611,793 45


GRADE CROSSING DEBT (Carried by Commonwealth).


Decrees entered


$120,097 10


Paid Commonwealth


$105,708 86


Deduct interest included in above


19,291 76


86,417 10


Due


$33,680 00


Payable


Principal


Interest


Nov. 15, 1919


$10,260 00


$1,291 74


1920


8,280 00


891 80


1921


7,380 00


576 60


1922


4,380 00


294 40


1923


3,380 00


127 20


$33,680 00


$3,181 74


.


TREASURER AND COLLECTOR OF TAXES.


85


TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 1918.


Appropriated in budget .


$17,050 00


Salaries :-


Treasurer and collector


$3,200 00


Deputy collector


1,600 00


Cashier


1,200 00


Clerks .


$6,162 82


Less service transfer 28 80


6,134 02


Stationery and postage .


2,101 69


Books and printing .


912 05


Carriage hire .


4 00


Telephone


155 53


Surety bonds


505 00


Advertising and recording tax sales


593 12


Sundries


121 11


$16,526 52


Balance


523 48


$17,050 00


REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE. CITY OF SOMERVILLE.


School Committee Rooms, January 3, 1919.


Ordered, that the annual report of the Superintendent be adopted as the annual report of the Board of School Com- mittee, it being understood that such adoption does not com- mit the Board to the opinions or recommendations made there- in; that it be incorporated in the reports of the City Officers ; and that 1,000 copies be printed separately.


CHARLES S. CLARK,


Secretary of School Board.


87


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.


School Committee, 1918.


GUY E. HEALEY


HERBERT CHOLERTON


Vice-Chairman


Members. EX-OFFICIIS.


Term expires January


CHARLES W. ELDRIDGE, Mayor, 47 Highland road 1919


JOHN M. WEBSTER, President Board of Aldermen, 76 Boston street


1919


WARD ONE.


DR. WINNIFRED P. DAVIS,


125 Pearl street 1919


JAMES J. RUDD,


46-A Franklin street 1920


WARD TWO.


88 Concord avenue 1919


19 Concord avenue 1920


WARD THREE.


21 Pleasant avenue 1919


69 Avon street 1920


WARD FOUR.


22 Walter street 1919


* ARTHUR N. RICHARDSON,


¡MRS. JULIA R. ALDRICH, MRS. BLANCHE E. HERBERT,


HARRY M. STOODLEY,


WARD SIX.


31 Rogers avenue 1919


38 Cambria street 1920


WARD SEVEN.


94 College avenue 1919


43 Ossipee road 1920


Superintendent of Schools. CHARLES S. CLARK.


Office: City Hall Annex, Highland avenue. Residence: 75 Munroe street.


The Superintendent's office will be open on school days from 8 to 5; Saturdays, 8 to 10. His office hour is 4 o'clock on school days, and 8:30 on Saturdays.


Assistant Superintendent of Schools. JOSEPH A. EWART.


11 Bigelow street.


Office hour: 3 o'clock on school days.


Superintendent's office force :- Mary A. Clark, 42 Highland avenue. Mildred A. Merrill, 26 Cambria street. H. Madeline Kodad, 1067 Broadway.


Board Meetings.


January 28. April 29.


September 30. December 27.


February 25. May 27.


October 28. January 3, 1919.


March 25. June 24. November 25. 8:15 o'clock.


* Resigned October 21.


Resigned July 15.


68 Bonair street 1920


WARD FIVE.


262 School street 1919


56 Dartmouth street 1919


283 Highland avenue 1920


GEORGE E. WARDROBE, *GUY E. HEALEY,


HERBERT CHOLERTON,


FRANK E. PORTER.


Chairman


CHRISTOPHER J. MULDOON, DANIEL H. BRADLEY,


OSCAR W. CODDING, ALFRED L. WEST,


FRANK H. HOLMES,


88


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Standing Committees, 1918.


Note. - The member first named is chairman.


District I. - Dr. Davis, Rudd, Muldoon.


PRESCOTT, HANSCOM, BENNETT.


District II. - Muldoon, Bradley, Codding.


KNAPP, PERRY, BAXTER.


District III. - Codding, West, Dr. Davis.


POPE, BELL, CUMMINGS.


District IV. - Holmes, Richardson, Mrs. Aldrich.


EDGERLY, GLINES.


District V. - Mrs. Aldrich, Stoodley, Richardson.


FORSTER, BINGHAM.


District VI. - Wardrobe, Healey, Stoodley.


CARR, MORSE, PROCTOR, DURELL, BURNS, BROWN ..


District VII. - Cholerton, Porter, Healey.


HIGHLAND, HODGKINS, CUTLER, LINCOLN, LOWE.


High School. - Bradley, Dr. Davis, West, Holmes, Stoodley, Healey, Cholerton.


Finance. - Stoodley, Rudd, Bradley, Codding, Richardson, Healey, Porter, Eldridge, Webster.


Text-Books and Courses of Study. - Muldoon, Dr. Davis, West, Mrs. Aldrich, Stoodley, Healey, Cholerton.


Industrial Education. - Holmes, Rudd, Muldoon, West, Richardson, Wardrobe, Porter.


School Accommodations. - Porter, Rudd, Bradley, Codding, Holmes, Mrs. Aldrich, Wardrobe, Eldridge, Webster.


Teachers. - Cholerton, Dr. Davis, Muldoon, Bradley, Healey.


Playgrounds and School Hygiene. - Wardrobe, Dr. Davis, Holmes, Richardson, Mrs. Aldrich.


Rules and Regulations. - Codding, Muldoon, Porter.


89


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.


REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS.


To the School Committee of Somerville :-


In accordance with your rules and regulations, I present the following report of the conditions of the public schools for the year ended December 31, 1918. The usual statistical tables showing the facts concerning enrollment and attendance of pupils and the cost of maintenance of the schools are sup- plied herewith.


Although forty-six annual reports of the schools of this city have been written, it is doubtful if the record of any other year presents such a variety and such a number of ex- traordinary acts as does the account for the year just closed. While the World War created for all communities exceptional conditions, and our city, like all others, shared in them, yet other happenings were sufficiently unusual to make this year a marked one in the history of our schools. For the sake of a record, it may be well to note briefly each of these uncom- mon occurrences.


First of all to be mentioned is the loss of school time through the enforced closing of the schools. Early in Janu- ary, because of the shortage of coal, it was necessary to close a number of schools for an indefinite period. This amounted to ten weeks in the case of some, while in the case of others, notably the High School, the closing was for only a short time. For the sake of saving coal, the sessions of the Evening Schools were omitted during the winter months, but they were resumed later in the year when the coal shortage was some- what relieved. Again in September it became necessary to close all the schools on account of the prevalence of the influ- enza. So menacing was the progress of this disease that all the schools of the city were closed for four weeks. Once more, as the old year draws to an end, it has been necessary to close the schools one week for the same reason. Thus, in one year, enforced closing of the schools amounted in all to more than two months.


Notwithstanding these losses, the Committee was glad to give two school holidays in November to celebrate the signing of an armistice whereby the fighting in the World War came to an end.


A second incident of unusual significance was the open- ing, in September, of the junior high school on Vinal Avenue. In this school were assembled the upper grade pupils of the Morse, Carr, Knapp and Bell schools. This event completed the provision of junior high schools for the whole city and


90


ANNUAL REPORTS.


changed, thereby, the character of the school organization. Since that event all of the intermediate classes have been as- sembled in junior high schools. The buildings heretofore known as Grammar Schools now contain classes of the first six grades.


At the same time another important change was ac- complished. For the first time two classes from the elementary schools were promoted to the high school simultaneously. The eighth grade was promoted to the high school in com- pany with the ninth grade. This act was in pursuance of a policy adopted by the School Board in 1910, to reduce the course of instruction below the high school from nine to eight years. By this means that policy was carried into effect and the total number of years in the school course was made twelve instead of thirteen. While there are now in the schools thirteen distinct classes, two of them are of identical grade, namely, the promoted eighth and ninth grades. When these classes have been graduated from the High School there will then be only twelve classes, corresponding to the twelve grades of the schools.


Other unusual circumstances during the year were as- sociated directly with the prosecution of the War. It was evident in the first year of the War that the youth of the country could lend valuable assistance to the home work of civilians in support of the war policy of the Government. This year, beginning early in the year, this help of the children was systematically organized in several important ways.


Early in the year Junior Red Cross auxiliaries were organized in all of the schools of the city with every pupil a member. Thus our city had the distinction of having 100 % membership in this organization. As an account of the work of these auxiliaries will be given elsewhere in this report, it is sufficient here to say that the pupils entered heartily into the undertaking and rendered valuable service in making articles and supplies that were needed for the use of soldiers. In addition to this aid, they themselves were benefited by the growth in patriotism and efficiency which this opportunity gave them.


The War Savings Stamp system was started early in the year. This method of saving superseded, for the time being, the school savings bank system which had been in very success- ful operation in our schools for a number of years. In a re- port printed at the end of the school year in June, giving the War Savings Stamp statistics of the public schools of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Somerville had 51 % of all of its pupils holding stamps, with a per capita holding of $3.28. This record puts our city at the head of the larger cities of the State, both in the percentage of pupils holding stamps and in the average amount for each individual.


91


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.


Again this year there was a call for high school boys to work upon the farms. The Massachusetts Committee on Pub- lic Safety, cooperating with the United States Boys' Working Reserve, enrolled the boys of the High School for work during the growing season. This year arrangements were made for placing our high school boys in a camp in Sunderland, Massa- chusetts. This camp was under the supervision of two high school masters, Everett W. Tuttle and Guy C. Blodgett, and in it were enrolled fifty-one pupils. The boys stayed in the camp throughout the season and rendered service that was highly appreciated by the farmers of the neighborhood. In every respect the camp was a model of good behavior and efficiency. In addition to the boys in the camp thirty-eight others were placed upon nearby farms under the general management of Stephen H. Mahoney. In these two ways, therefore, high school boys served their country as members of the United States Boys' Working Reserve.


But the spirit of service was not confined to the boys. Early in the year several of the women teachers of the High School, believing' that girls could be profitably engaged upon farms, undertook to organize and place a group of high school girls in farm work. After many difficulties had been overcome, early in the summer season a camp was opened in Bolton in the Grange Hall of the Mechanics and Farmers Association where twenty-five high school girls lived under the supervision of Miss Elizabeth H. Hunt, a member of the High School faculty. These girls worked upon the neighbor- ing farms from that time until October 12. As an evidence of the value of their services can be cited the fact that the farmers of that vicinity are most anxious to have them return next year, While these girls have not had the patronage and support of the State and Nation which was given to the boys they have deserved none the less equal praise for the work which they did. So far as I know they constituted the first group of high school girls to be organized and maintained through the summer for work on farms.


Another distinguishing feature of the year was the im- provement of the physical training work in the High School. The plan proposed at the end of the last year was put into operation early this year. The use of the State Armory daily was secured for boys and of the Y. M. C. A. gymnasium for girls. An additional instructor in physical training was pro- vided for the girls of the High School. Daily and vigorous setting up exercises and a weekly drill in company formation and tactics were prescribed for all pupils. The work has been successfully conducted and has had gratifying results.


Two new buildings were completed during the year :- an addition of twelve rooms to the Bell schoolhouse was finished and occupied in September; a building 58 feet by 62 feet has


92


ANNUAL REPORTS.


just been completed on Glen street adjoining the Davis school- house. This will be used for an automobile shop. It is made of brick and concrete, is fire-proof, and has been designed especially for the work for which it is to be used.


In enrollment of pupils there has been slight change since last year. The average membership in December this year is 12,807 as against 12,989 last year. The present mem- bership is 13,074. There are employed now 418 teachers as against 423 employed in 1917.


Accommodations.


In order that the relation of schoolhouse accommodations to the present and future needs of the schools may be clearly seen it is necessary that the situation as a whole be surveyed and that not only what is now the condition in various parts of the system be noted but also the imperative needs of the near future growing out of the natural development of present undertakings be understood.


Concerning the High School it is to be said that the sufficiency of room for the work of the school which resulted last year from the operation of three junior high schools has been offset this year by the necessity of housing in that school one of the two freshman classes. The effect of this act is to restore to the High School the four-class organization with a resultant increase in the membership of the school. Next year the present senior class of the junior high school will join this class in the High School making a sophomore class of double size. This double class will continue through the next three years of the senior High School, each year being associated with two other classes. Therefore until this double freshman class is graduated from the High School in 1922 there will be no material shrinkage in the present size of that school. In September, 1922, the High School will again return to the basis of a three-class organization, and the school system will consist of twelve year groups or classes. whereas until then it will have thirteen. The membership of the school is now 1,749, a number too large to permit the best disposition of the undertakings of the school. but still not large enough to bring on the worst features of overcrowd- ing. It seems inevitable that this condition must be borne until 1922 and probable that it will not assume before that time the serious state of overcrowding that was the cause of so much complaint in 1915 and 1916.


Junior High Schools.


The Northern occupies all of the Folsom building in- cluding attic and basement and all but four rooms in the Forster, including the ward room. This school is overcrowded and is conducted at a disadvantage because of that fact. The


93


SCHOOL DEPARTMENT.


use of the four remaining classrooms in the Forster building would do no more than give it room better to conduct its neces- sary work. There are 624 pupils now in this school.


The Eastern Junior High School occupies the Southworth building and eight of the twelve rooms of the Prescott build- ing, an increase of three over last year. The school is filled by its present undertakings. Not an additional class can be organized without taking another room in the Prescott build- ing away from the elementary classes. There are 479 pupils in this school.


The Western Junior High School now utilizes both the new building (not named) on Holland street and the Hodg- kins building several rods away. In September seven rooms in the Hodgkins School which last year were used for ele- mentary classes were taken by the Junior High School. Both buildings are fully occupied, the new building being very much overcrowded. No additional class can be started here with a room to itself. There are 897 pupils in this school.


The Southern Junior High School is housed in the Bell School with its twelve-room addition and occupies the whole of the plant with the exception of the ward room. There are 690 pupils in this school.


Elementary Schools.


With the exceptions to be noted the elementary schools are much better off for room than at any other time in recent years. Sufficiency of room has made possible decreasing the size of many classes, thereby producing better conditions for pupils and teachers. This is notably true of the schools west of Central street. There are rooms enough in this sec- tion for all the elementary school pupils, although to use them fully it will not be possible in every instance to send chil- dren to the school of their preference.


From the Forster School east to Charlestown the con- dition is different. The Forster (elementary), the Edgerly, Glines, Hanscom, and Prescott (elementary) schools are full, practically to the limit. It is now a matter of careful consid- eration to place additional pupils anywhere in these schools. This is a serious condition, one requiring early study and at- tention. The elementary schools not included in the fore- going statements have room enough, one, the Knapp, at present having unused rooms.


Vocational Schools.


A new building containing one large room for an auto- mobile shop has just been added to the Boys' Vocational School. With the readjustments which will follow occupying this building the school will be well equipped to do its work.


94


ANNUAL REPORTS.


Vocational School for Girls. The decrease in enrollment in this school as a result of war conditions makes unnecessary consideration at this time of any increase in the size of the plant. The building is large enough for the present enroll- ment of the school.


This survey affords a background for several generaliza- tions. For years the School Committee has been urging the need of more accommodations. Two years ago there was severe complaint by citizens concerning the overcrowded condi- tion of the High School, and many of the elementary schools in the central and western parts of the city were cramped for room. The policy of establishing junior high schools was adopted in part for the purpose of relieving the situation by building in central locations in' the four sections of the city. Measurable relief has followed the adoption of the plan. Its failure is only in so far as building operations in connection with it have not been extensive enough. In my annual report in 1916 I stated the conviction that fifty more classrooms were then needed. Since then thirty have been provided. The other twenty are needed now.


Before leaving this subject I cannot forbear expressing the hope that the city will be able in the very near future to complete the new Western Junior High School building accord- ing to its complete plans. By this means we should have one new fully adequate junior high school building with the vari- ous provisions which a modern junior high school ought to possess. Here is an exceptional opportunity as we have the land and a workable building plan. When this is done the Hodgkins School building could be released for other purposes, perhaps as a substitute for the Highland School building.


Curriculum.


By reason of the elimination of the last or ninth grade of the elementary course which was effected last June the curriculum of the schools is now composed of twelve grades divided as follows : Elementary, six grades ; Junior High, three grades ; and High School, three grades. The eighth grade class last year was promoted to the same grade as the ninth grade. that is, to the grade equivalent to the first grade of a four- year high school. Under the junior high school system this grade is the last one in the Junior High School. To state the matter in another way the eighth grade pupils entered the High School at the same time as the ninth, though both groups under our new organization belong this year in the junior high schools as a senior class. However, inasmuch as the junior high schools had not room enough to hold both classes in addition to the others the ninth grade promotees were sent to the High School where they could be accommodated. In




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